Cooktop Appliance

ABSTRACT

A cooktop appliance includes a knob mounted to a stem of a control valve. A bezel of the cooktop appliance includes a mounting plate positioned at a panel of the cooktop appliance. An inner sidewall of the bezel is attached to the mounting plate at an inner portion of the mounting plate. The inner sidewall extends from the mounting plate through the panel at the opening of the panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to cooktop appliances, such as gas cooktop appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gas cooktop appliances generally include multiple gas burners mounted to a top panel. A user of the cooktop appliances may regulate fuel flow to the gas burners by adjusting control valves associated with the gas burners. Certain gas cooktop appliances includes knobs coupled to the control valves. The user may rotate the knobs to open and close the control valves and thereby regulate fuel flow to the gas burners.

A knob bezel may be mounted to a gas cooktop's panel below a knob in order to hide or cover a gap between the knob and the panel. Thus, the knob bezel may improve a cosmetic appearance of the gas cooktop. The knob bezel is generally a separate piece of material from the knob and control valve. Since the knob bezel is not an integrated part of the knob or control valve, properly aligning the knob bezel with the knob on the gas cooktop's panel can be difficult. A misaligned knob bezel can be visually displeasing and can also result in binding between the knob and knob bezel during rotation of the knob relative to the knob bezel.

Accordingly, a cooktop appliance with features for aligning a bezel with a knob of the cooktop appliance would be useful. In particular, a cooktop appliance with features for aligning a bezel with a knob and a control valve of the cooktop appliance would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a cooktop appliance. The cooktop appliance includes a knob mounted to a stem of a control valve. A bezel of the cooktop appliance includes a mounting plate positioned at a panel of the cooktop appliance. An inner sidewall of the bezel is attached to the mounting plate at an inner portion of the mounting plate. The inner sidewall extends from the mounting plate through the panel at the opening of the panel. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance includes a panel that defines an opening. A control valve is mounted to the panel. The control valve includes a spark switch and a stem. The spark switch of the control valve has an outer wall. The stem of the control valve extends through the panel at the opening of the panel. A knob is mounted to the stem of the control valve and is positioned opposite the spark switch of the control valve about the panel. A bezel includes a mounting plate positioned at the panel such that the mounting plate is disposed between the knob and the panel. An outer sidewall is attached to the mounting plate and extends about an outer edge of the mounting plate. The outer sidewall also extends from the mounting plate towards the knob. An inner sidewall is attached to the mounting plate at an inner portion of the mounting plate. The inner sidewall extends from the mounting plate through the panel at the opening of the panel such that the outer wall of the spark switch is disposed within and contacts the inner sidewall.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance includes a panel that defines an opening. A control valve includes a valve body and a stem. The stem of the control valve extends through the panel at the opening of the panel. A knob mounted is to the stem of the control valve and is positioned opposite the valve body of the control valve about the panel. A bezel includes a mounting plate positioned at the panel such that the mounting plate is disposed between the knob and the panel. An outer sidewall is attached to the mounting plate and extends about an outer edge of the mounting plate. The outer sidewall also extends from the mounting plate towards the knob. An inner sidewall is attached to the mounting plate at an inner portion of the mounting plate. The inner sidewall extends from the mounting plate through the panel at the opening of the panel. The inner sidewall contacts the panel at the opening of the panel.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of a range appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a top view of the exemplary range appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a side, elevation view of a control panel assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter and as may be used with the exemplary range appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a side, section view of the exemplary control panel assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides an exploded, section view of the exemplary control panel assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of a bezel of the exemplary control panel assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 provides a side, section view of the bezel of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of a range appliance 100 as may be employed with the present subject mailer. FIG. 2 provides a top, plan view of range appliance 100. Range appliance 100 includes an insulated cabinet 110. Cabinet 110 defines an upper cooking chamber 120 and a lower cooking chamber 122. Thus, range appliance 100 is generally referred to as a double oven range appliance. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, range appliance 100 is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in any suitable cooktop appliance, e.g., a single oven range appliance or a standalone cooktop appliance. Thus, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is not intended to limit the present subject matter to any particular cooking chamber configuration or arrangement.

Upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 122 are configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. Range appliance 100 includes an upper door 124 and a lower door 126 rotatably attached to cabinet 110 in order to permit selective access to upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 122, respectively. Handles 128 are mounted to upper and lower doors 124 and 126 to assist a user with opening and closing doors 124 and 126 in order to access cooking chambers 120 and 122. As an example, a user can pull on handle 128 mounted to upper door 124 to open or close upper door 124 and access upper cooking chamber 120. Glass window panes 130 provide for viewing the contents of upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 122 when doors 124 and 126 are closed and also assist with insulating upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 122. Heating elements (not shown), such as electric resistance heating elements, gas burners, microwave heating elements, halogen heating elements, or suitable combinations thereof, are positioned within upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 122 for heating upper cooking chamber 120 and lower cooking chamber 122.

Range appliance 100 also includes a cooktop 140. Cooktop 140 is positioned at or adjacent a top portion of cabinet 110. Thus, cooktop 140 is positioned above upper and lower cooking chambers 120 and 122. Cooktop 140 includes a top panel 142. By way of example, top panel 142 may be constructed of glass, ceramics, enameled steel, and combinations thereof.

For range appliance 100, a utensil holding food and/or cooking liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc.) may be placed onto grates 152 at a location of any of burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150. Burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150 provide therrnal energy to cooking utensils on grates 152. As shown in FIG. 1, burners assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150 can be configured in various sizes so as to provide e.g., for the receipt of cooking utensils (i.e., pots, pans, etc.) of various sizes and configurations and to provide different heat inputs for such cooking utensils. Grates 152 are supported on a top surface 158 of top panel 142. Range appliance 100 also includes a griddle burner 160 positioned at a middle portion of top panel 142, as may be seen in FIG. 2. A griddle may be positioned on grates 152 and heated with griddle burner 160.

A user interface panel 154 is located within convenient reach of a user of the range appliance 100. For this exemplary embodiment, user interface panel 154 includes knobs 156 that are each associated with one of burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150 and griddle burner 160. Knobs 156 allow the user to activate each burner assembly and determine the amount of heat input provided by each burner assembly 144, 146, 148, 150 and griddle burner 160 to a cooking utensil located thereon. User interface panel 154 may also be provided with one or more graphical display devices that deliver certain information to the user such as e.g., whether a particular burner assembly is activated and/or the rate at which the burner assembly is set.

Although shown with knobs 156, it should be understood that knobs 156 and the configuration of range appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided by way of example only. More specifically, user interface panel 154 may include various input components, such as one or more of a variety of touch-type controls, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads, e.g., in addition to knobs 156. The user interface panel 154 may include other display components, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user.

FIG. 3 provides a side, elevation view of a control panel assembly 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 4 provides a side, section view of control panel assembly 200. FIG. 5 provides an exploded, section view of control panel assembly 200. Control panel assembly 200 may be used in or within any suitable cooktop appliance. For example, control panel assembly 200 may be used in or within range appliance 100. Thus, control panel assembly 200 is discussed in greater detail below in the context of range appliance 100.

As may be seen in FIGS. 3-5, control panel assembly 200 includes a panel 210, a knob 220 (e.g., one of knobs 156) and a control valve 230. Panel 210 may be part of top panel 142 of range appliance 100 (FIG. 1) or may be separate from top panel 142. Panel 210 defines an outer surface 212 and an inner surface 214. Outer and inner surfaces 212, 214 of panel 210 are positioned opposite each other on panel 210. For example, inner surface 214 of panel 210 may face an interior of range appliance 100, and outer surface 212 of panel 210 may face away from the interior of range appliance 100. Panel 210 also defines an opening 216. Opening 216 of panel 210 extends through panel 210, e.g., between outer and inner surfaces 212, 214 of panel 210.

Knob 220 and control valve 230 are positioned at or adjacent opening 216 of panel 210. As an example, knob 220 and control valve 230 may be positioned opposite each other about panel 210. In particular, knob 220 may be positioned at or adjacent outer surface 214 of panel 210 proximate opening 216 of panel 210, and control valve 230 may be positioned at or adjacent inner surface 214 of panel 210 proximate opening 216 of panel 210.

Control valve 230 includes a valve body 232, a stem 234, manifold 236 and manifold bracket 238. Valve body 232 is configured for housing various components of control valve 230 that regulate a flow of gaseous fuel, such as propane or natural gas, from a fuel line to manifold 236. In particular, control valve 230 is selectively adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, control valve 230 blocks gaseous fuel flow to manifold 236. Conversely, control valve 230 permits gaseous fuel flow to manifold 236 in the open configuration. Stem 234 extends from valve body 232 through panel 210 at opening 216 of panel 210. Knob 220 is coupled (e.g., mounted to) stem 234. A user may rotate knob 220 in order to adjust control valve 230 between the open and closed configurations. Manifold 236 extends from valve body 232 to one of burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150 in order to supply fuel from valve body 232 thereto.

Control valve 230 may be mounted to panel 210. For example, manifold 236 may be connected to valve body 232 at an outlet of the valve body 232, and manifold bracket 238 may be mounted (e.g., fastened) to panel 210. Manifold 236 may be mounted to (e.g., fastened) to manifold bracket 238. In such a manner, control valve 230 may be connected and mounted to panel 210.

Control panel assembly 200 also includes a spark switch 260. Spark switch 260 is configured for electrically connecting a power supply to an igniter at one of burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150. In particular, spark switch 260 may be configured for closing an electrical circuit to the igniter when a user rotates knob 220 such that control valve 230 is in the open configuration, and spark switch 260 may be configured for opening the electrical circuit to the igniter when the user rotates knob 220 such that control valve 230 is in the closed configuration. In such a manner, spark switch 260 may assist with igniting gaseous fuel at burners of range appliance 100, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

Spark switch 260 may be mounted to control valve 230. For example, an outer housing 264 of spark switch 260 may be mounted to valve body 232 such that outer housing 264 of spark switch 260 is fixed relative to valve body 232. Conversely, a rotor 266 of spark switch 260 may be mounted to stem 234 such that rotor 266 of spark switch 260 is fixed relative to stem 234. Knob 220 may be positioned opposite spark switch 260 about panel 210. By coupling rotor 266 of spark switch 260 to stem 234, rotor 266 of spark switch 260 may rotate within outer housing 264 when a user rotates knob 220.

Spark switch 260, e.g., outer housing 264 of spark switch 260, may also include an outer wall 262. As may be seen in FIG. 4, control valve 230 defines an axial direction A along a length of stem 234. Outer wall 262 of spark switch 260 may be circular in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction A. Thus, outer wall 262 of spark switch 260 may be cylindrical or round in certain exemplary embodiments.

Control panel assembly 200 also includes a bezel 240. Bezel 240 is disposed between knob 220 and panel 210 and is positioned on panel 210. Bezel 240 may cover or hide a gap between knob 220 and panel 210 in order to improve a cosmetic appearance of range appliance 100. As discussed in greater detail below, bezel 240 includes features for positioning bezel 240 such that opening 216 of panel 210, stem 234, bezel 240 and/or spark switch 260 are positioned concentrically with one another.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of bezel 240. FIG. 7 provides a side, section view of bezel 240. As may be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, bezel 240 includes a mounting plate 242, an outer sidewall 246 and an inner sidewall 250. Mounting plate 242 may be positioned on or at panel 210 such that mounting plate 242 is disposed between knob 220 and panel 210 at opening 216 of panel 210. Mounting plate 242 may define a plurality of holes 244. Fasteners (not shown), such as screws, may extend through mounting plate 242 and panel 210 at holes 244 in order to assist with mounting bezel 240 to panel 210. Mounting plate 242 may be circular, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction A. Thus, an outer edge 248 of mounting plate 242 may be circular in the plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction A.

Outer sidewall 246 is attached to mounting plate 242. In addition, outer sidewall 246 may extend about mounting plate 242 at outer edge 248 of mounting plate 242. Outer sidewall 246 may further extend from mounting plate 242 towards knob 220. Outer sidewall 246 may be circular in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction A. Thus, outer sidewall 246 may be cylindrical or round in certain exemplary embodiments. A diameter of outer sidewall 246 may be larger than a diameter of knob 220. Thus, a base 222 of knob 220 may be disposed within outer sidewall 246 adjacent mounting plate 242. In such a manner, outer sidewall 246 may assist with covering or hiding a gap between knob 220 and panel 210.

Inner sidewall 250 is attached to mounting plate 242. Inner side-wall 250 may also be positioned at or adjacent an inner portion 252 of mounting plate 242, e.g., radially spaced apart from outer edge 248 of mounting plate 242. Inner sidewall 250 may further extend from mounting plate 242 through panel 210 at opening 216 of panel 210. Inner sidewall 250 may be circular in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction A. Thus, inner sidewall 250 may be cylindrical or round in certain exemplary embodiments.

A shape of opening 216 of panel 210 in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction A may be complementary to a shape of inner sidewall 250 of bezel 240 in the plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction. Thus, opening 216 of panel 210 may be sized and shaped to receive inner sidewall 250 of bezel 240. Similarly, a shape of outer wall 262 of spark switch 260 may be complementary to the shape of the inner sidewall 250 in the plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction. Thus, inner sidewall 250 of bezel 240 may be sized and shaped to receive outer wall 262 of spark switch 260. With inner sidewall 250 of bezel 240 received within opening 216 of panel 210 and/or with outer wall 262 of spark switch 260 received within inner sidewall 250 of bezel 240, opening 216 of panel 210, stem 234, bezel 240 and/or spark switch 260 may be positioned concentrically with one another.

As a particular example, an outer diameter DSO of inner sidewall 250 may be about equal to a diameter DO of opening 216 of panel 210 when inner sidewall 250 is round. Thus, inner sidewall 250 may be received within opening 216 of panel 210 such that inner sidewall 250 contacts panel 210 at opening 216 of panel 210. In such a manner, inner sidewall 250 may engage panel 210 in order to assist with positioning bezel 240 concentrically with knob 220. Similarly, an inner diameter DSI of inner sidewall 250 may be about equal to a diameter DW of outer wall 262 of spark switch 260 when inner sidewall 250 is round. Thus, inner side wall 250 may receive outer wall 262 of spark switch 260 such that inner sidewall 250 contacts outer wall 262 of spark switch 260. In such a manner, inner sidewall 250 may engage outer wall 262 of spark switch 260 in order to assist with positioning bezel 240 concentrically with knob 220 and/or outer wall 262 of spark switch 260 at opening 216 of panel 210. As used herein the term “about” means within five millimeters of a stated diameter when used in the context of diameters.

Bezel 240 may also include a lip 254. Lip 254 is attached or connected to mounting plate 242. In particular, outer sidewall 246 may extend between and connect mounting plate 242 and lip 254. Lip 254 may also extend about outer edge 248 of mounting plate 242. Lip 254 may extend from outer sidewall 246 (e.g., a distal end of outer sidewall 246) to panel 210. As shown in FIG. 7, lip 254 may also be spaced apart from outer sidewall 246 except where lip 254 is connected to outer sidewall 246 at the distal end of outer sidewall 246. Lip 254 may extend from outer sidewall 246 past mounting plate 242 such that a distal end of lip 254 stands proud of mounting plate 242. Thus, lip 254 may support mounting plate 242 on panel 210 such that mounting plate 242 is spaced apart from or suspended over panel 210 by lip 254, as shown in FIG. 4. Lip 254 may also be compressed against panel 210 in order to reduce or eliminate a visible gap between bezel 240 and panel 210.

Bezel 240 may be constructed of or with any suitable material. For example, bezel 240 may be constructed of or with injection molded plastic or cast metal. Thus, mounting plate 242, outer sidewall 246 and inner sidewall 250 of bezel 240 may be integrally formed of a single, continuous piece of plastic or metal. As another example, inner sidewall 250 and mounting plate 242 of bezel 240 may be separate pieces of plastic or metal, and inner sidewall 250 may be mounted (e.g., fastened, adhered, inference fit, etc.) to mounting plate 242. Thus, inner sidewall 250 may be removable from mounting plate 242. In such a manner, bezel 240 may be mounted to cooktop appliances 100 with or without inner sidewall 250 to provide flexibility and a common bezel between various cooktop appliance configurations.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooktop appliance, comprising: a panel defining an opening; a control valve mounted the panel, the control valve comprising a spark switch and a stem, the spark switch of the control valve having an outer wall, the stem of the control valve extending through the panel at the opening of the panel; a knob mounted to the stem of the control valve and positioned opposite the spark switch of the control valve about the panel; and a bezel comprising a mounting plate positioned at the panel such that the mounting plate is disposed between the knob and the panel; an outer sidewall attached to the mounting plate and extending about an outer edge of the mounting plate, the outer sidewall also extending from the mounting plate towards the knob; and an inner sidewall attached to the mounting plate at an inner portion of the mounting plate, the inner sidewall extending from the mounting plate through the panel at the opening of the panel such that the outer wall of the spark switch is disposed within and contacts the inner sidewall.
 2. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the opening is a circular opening having a radius and the inner sidewall is a round inner sidewall having an outer radius, the radius of the circular opening being about equal to the outer radius of the round inner sidewall, the round inner sidewall also having an inner radius, the inner radius of the round inner sidewall being about equal to an outer radius of the outer wall of the spark switch.
 3. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the bezel further comprises a lip attached to the mounting plate and extending about the outer edge of the mounting plate, the lip also contacting the panel.
 4. The cooktop appliance of claim 3, wherein the lip supports the mounting plate on the panel such that the mounting plate is spaced apart from the panel by the lip.
 5. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the control valve defines an axial direction along a length of the stem, a shape of the opening in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction being complementary to a shape of the inner sidewall in the plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction, a shape of the outer wall of the spark switch also being complementary to the shape of the inner sidewall in the plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction.
 6. The cooktop appliance of claim 5, wherein the inner sidewall is received within the opening of the panel and the outer wall of the spark switch is received within the inner sidewall such that the bezel is positioned concentrically with the knob.
 7. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the inner sidewall and the mounting plate are separate pieces of material.
 8. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the inner sidewall and the mounting plate are integrally formed of a single, continuous piece of material.
 9. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners that extend though the mounting plate and the panel.
 10. The cooktop appliance of claim 9, wherein the plurality of fasteners comprises fasteners that engage the panel and fasteners that do not engage the panel.
 11. A cooktop appliance, comprising: a panel defining an opening; a control valve comprising a valve body and a stem, the stem of the control valve extending through the panel at the opening of the panel; a knob mounted to the stem of the control valve and positioned opposite the valve body of the control valve about the panel; and a bezel comprising a mounting plate positioned at the panel such that the mounting plate is disposed between the knob and the panel; an outer sidewall attached to the mounting plate and extending about an outer edge of the mounting plate, the outer sidewall also extending from the mounting plate towards the knob; and an inner sidewall attached to the mounting plate at an inner portion of the mounting plate, the inner sidewall extending from the mounting plate through the panel at the opening of the panel, the inner sidewall contacting the panel at the opening of the panel.
 12. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein the opening is a circular opening having a radius and the inner sidewall is a round inner sidewall having a radius, the radius of the circular opening being about equal to the radius of the round inner sidewall.
 13. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein the bezel further comprises a lip attached to the mounting plate and extending about the outer edge of the mounting plate, the lip contacting the panel.
 14. The cooktop appliance of claim 13, wherein the lip supports the muffling plate on the panel such that the mounting plate is spaced apart from the panel by the lip.
 15. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein the control valve defines an axial direction along a length of the stem, a shape of the opening in a plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction being complementary to a shape of the inner sidewall in the plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction.
 16. The cooktop appliance of claim 15, wherein the inner sidewall is received within the opening of the panel such that the bezel is positioned concentrically with the knob.
 17. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein the inner sidewall and the mounting plate are separate pieces of material.
 18. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, wherein the inner sidewall and the mounting plate are integrally formed of a single, continuous piece of material.
 19. The cooktop appliance of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of fasteners that extend though the mounting plate and the panel.
 20. The cooktop appliance of claim 19, wherein the plurality of fasteners comprises fasteners that engage the panel and fasteners that do not engage the panel. 